Sheriff’s office investigators seized the machines from Center Stage, at 1 p.m., according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. Undercover law enforcement officers twice went into the facility to verify the playing of the gambling devices.

Michelle Regina Garbe, 51, was charged with one count of promoting gambling and one count of possession of a gambling device.

Entrekin said he believes, but could not say for certain, the machines seized were the same ones that CBS Supply, which hopes to bring electronic bingo to Etowah County, had tested by Gaming Laboratories International to see if they met state and local requirements for bingo.

Entrekin earlier this week turned down a request from CBS for an electronic bingo license, saying he did not think the machines played traditional bingo.

CBS Supply, the developer of a proposed $200 million bingo development in the county, had submitted a report from GLI. It said the SilverLine Systems machines, manufactured by Select Electronic Devices Inc., passed the standards governing legal bingo in Etowah County. Those standards include a six-point requirement set by the Alabama Supreme Court as to what constitutes legal bingo in the state.

CBS Supply in a press release said Entrekin’s own expert said the machines comply with the law, and the sheriff “has a duty to permit CBS’s games and allow it to develop this huge economic development project for Etowah County.”

Entrekin said a license for paper bingo was issued Thursday to 13th Place at Center Stage. He said he was told a sign was displayed at Center Stage saying proceeds would go to 13th Place.

He said Garbe asked for an attorney when she was interviewed by investigators and would not answer questions.

Garbe was booked into the Etowah County Detention Center and later released on $2,000 bond.

Garbe in a telephone interview would not confirm that she worked for CBS.

Her attorney, Roy McCord Jr., in a telephone interview said that he and his daughter, Catherine McCord Bailey, have been retained to defend Garbe in criminal proceedings.

McCord said he did not know if Garbe works for CBS. He said she was in possession of the machines when the sheriff’s department did the undercover sting.

He said the machines “probably” were owned by CBS, but he could not say that with certainty.

“I never asked that question,” McCord said. “These machines were the machines that were tested by the folks in New Jersey and were certified.”

McCord said if this goes to trial, he would attempt to show that the machines are legal. He said the machines operate the same as paper bingo machines and meet the Alabama Supreme Court’s standards for legal bingo.

Entrekin said officers first went to Center Stage Thursday evening after receiving information that the machines were being played, then went back Friday.

“As a 30-year law enforcement officer in Etowah County, we’ve always arrested and prosecuted anyone who brings illegal electronic gambling machines in the county,” Entrekin said. “We have worked hard, along with other law enforcement agencies, to enforce Alabama laws that state electronic gambling devices are illegal. And until those laws are changed, we will continue to do so.”

<p>Two electronic bingo machines were seized Friday at Center Stage in Rainbow City and a Gadsden woman was arrested on misdemeanor charges, according to Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin.</p><p>Sheriff's office investigators seized the machines from Center Stage, at 1 p.m., according to a news release from the sheriff's office. Undercover law enforcement officers twice went into the facility to verify the playing of the gambling devices.</p><p>Michelle Regina Garbe, 51, was charged with one count of promoting gambling and one count of possession of a gambling device.</p><p>Entrekin said he believes, but could not say for certain, the machines seized were the same ones that CBS Supply, which hopes to bring electronic bingo to Etowah County, had tested by Gaming Laboratories International to see if they met state and local requirements for bingo.</p><p>Entrekin earlier this week turned down a request from CBS for an electronic bingo license, saying he did not think the machines played traditional bingo.</p><p>CBS Supply, the developer of a proposed $200 million bingo development in the county, had submitted a report from GLI. It said the SilverLine Systems machines, manufactured by Select Electronic Devices Inc., passed the standards governing legal bingo in Etowah County. Those standards include a six-point requirement set by the Alabama Supreme Court as to what constitutes legal bingo in the state.</p><p>CBS Supply in a press release said Entrekin's own expert said the machines comply with the law, and the sheriff “has a duty to permit CBS's games and allow it to develop this huge economic development project for Etowah County.”</p><p>Entrekin said a license for paper bingo was issued Thursday to 13th Place at Center Stage. He said he was told a sign was displayed at Center Stage saying proceeds would go to 13th Place.</p><p>He said Garbe asked for an attorney when she was interviewed by investigators and would not answer questions.</p><p>Garbe was booked into the Etowah County Detention Center and later released on $2,000 bond.</p><p>Garbe in a telephone interview would not confirm that she worked for CBS.</p><p>Her attorney, Roy McCord Jr., in a telephone interview said that he and his daughter, Catherine McCord Bailey, have been retained to defend Garbe in criminal proceedings. </p><p>McCord said he did not know if Garbe works for CBS. He said she was in possession of the machines when the sheriff's department did the undercover sting.</p><p>He said the machines “probably” were owned by CBS, but he could not say that with certainty.</p><p>“I never asked that question,” McCord said. “These machines were the machines that were tested by the folks in New Jersey and were certified.”</p><p>McCord said if this goes to trial, he would attempt to show that the machines are legal. He said the machines operate the same as paper bingo machines and meet the Alabama Supreme Court's standards for legal bingo. </p><p>Entrekin said officers first went to Center Stage Thursday evening after receiving information that the machines were being played, then went back Friday.</p><p>“As a 30-year law enforcement officer in Etowah County, we've always arrested and prosecuted anyone who brings illegal electronic gambling machines in the county,” Entrekin said. “We have worked hard, along with other law enforcement agencies, to enforce Alabama laws that state electronic gambling devices are illegal. And until those laws are changed, we will continue to do so.”</p>